[Wild Willow]

Hi,

I have harvested and dried my white, yellow and red onions.  I've strung them up (they're in a dark garage which is cool) and check them quite regularly for rot.  I *think* the red ones are getting 'squishy'.  It's very subtle though so I don't know if it's my imagination or if it is normal (I am watching the reds closely for rot).  Does anyone know if red onions are troublesome to store?  Is the subtle squishiness telling me they are starting to rot?

[Wild Willow]

Hi,

I've harvested, dried and hung my white, yellow and red onions.  They're hanging in my garage which is dark and cool.  I've been checking all onions a few times a week and it *seems* as though my red onions are feeling a bit 'squishy'.  I'm wondering if this is the beginning of rot and/or if red onions don't store as well as white or yellow?  Should I be using my red ones up asap?

[mumofstig]

I've merged your 2 questions as they are so similar.

I don't think reds store as well, but see what the others think 

[Wild Willow]

I've merged your 2 questions as they are so similar.

I don't think reds store as well, but see what the others think 

Thank you.  I couldn't see my first post so I assumed I didn't actually post it.

[JayG]

Did the red onions produce flower heads?

If so, they will have thick necks and are almost impossible to dry out enough to store well (the rot usually starts in the neck.)

Whether bolted or not, you do need to slice open any onion (or shallot for that matter) which shows any sort of softness in storage - in many cases you will find that internal mould growth has already gone too far to salvage anything edible.

[gobs]

This is not a colour question, purely, though mum might be right, I donno.

A variety thing, weather thing and growing conditions thing. Long Red Florence for example is an excellent storer, but then, I grow them from seed.

[gobs]

Oh, forgot your other question: if they are squishy, they are rottening, I'm afraid.

[mumofstig]

It's LRF that I grow, gobs 

Much as I love them, most of them seem to end up with thick necks, so won't dry properly

[yaxley]

Grew reds last year they dident store as good as my yellow ones so i just ate them first rather than waste them ..

[gobs]

It's LRF that I grow, gobs 

Much as I love them, most of them seem to end up with thick necks, so won't dry properly

Lol! they store excellently here.

[mumofstig]

they store excellently here.

Lucky you! mine usually end up sliced in the freezer (if the white rot doesn't spoil them first  )